In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. In a small bowl, mix together milk, vanilla and peppermint extract. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together using an electric mixer (we used our KitchenAid). Add the eggs, beating until mixture is well combined and smooth. Slowly add in half the flour mixture; mix until just blended. Add the milk mixture in the same way, then add the remaining flour mixture (flour, milk, flour -- make sense?), scraping sides of the bowl with a spatula as necessary.

Evenly divide batter among prepared muffin cups. Sprinkle tops of muffins with a pinch of organic sugar OR you can do like we did and use a commercial topping (left over from last Christmas -- amazing how fake ingredients can last so long...).

Bake 22 - 25 minutes or until muffins are a pale golden brown -- check with a toothpick to be sure they're done. Cool slightly in pan; remove muffins to wire rack.

We enjoyed these fresh from the oven this morning and all agreed that these are among our top five for the year -- they're that good! Enjoy!!

We would love to know if you give any of our muffin recipes a try. Let us know how they turn out or if you put a different spin on them. :)

This is the 51st installment in what will be, Lord willing, our year-long muffin adventure: Muffin Mondays! 52 Mondays, 52 Muffins. There is only 1 more to come, stay tuned!

As for what we'll be up to in the new year, we've decided to continue with Muffin Mondays except they'll be posted every other Monday. On the off weeks, we'll be sharing a variety of recipes in what we'll be calling "What's Cooking Wednesday." This change will allow us to share with you different cooking and baking ideas from fun desserts to healthy snacks and everything in between! We sure do hope you'll continue to join us as we share what we're learning in the kitchen.

Hi Lori! A very Merry Christmas to you and your family as well. :) I have two lavender soap rounds in stock if you'd like them. Let me know and I'll add them to my Etsy reserved for you. :) No pressure, though!

I've been so busy this month that my Etsy has been sorely neglected. :(